Certificate in Global Business Culture with Global Studies Specialization (GBC)

CGS and Illinois CIBER are pleased to offer a new global business certificate program available to both business and non-business students.

The goal of this certificate program is to incorporate the business in foreign language and international studies programs. This program will encourage students in LAS and other colleges outside of Business to develop foreign language expertise with international business incorporated into their particular program of study. This certificate has four required components, including a total of five semester courses and an international experience. The requirements are as follows:

• a foreign language through the fifth semester, including a specific business language course if available.
• two global studies courses from the list below.
• two international business courses.
• an overseas study/internship experience of at least six weeks.

Global Studies Courses

Students are required to take two Global Studies courses. Please refer to the following list (http://www.ciber.uiuc.edu/certificate_courselist.asp?global).

International Business Courses

The required international business courses allow students to gain knowledge in global management. Students can choose from:

• BADM 380, International Business (prereq., ECON 101)
• BADM 381, Multinational Management (prereq., junior standing)
• BADM 382, International Marketing (prereq., junior standing)

Students in the certificate program will get special permission from the Business Adminitration Department to enroll in these courses.

Business Foreign Language Courses

Students are required to study a foreign language beyond the required four semesters and concentrate on business foreign language classes that focus on business culture and vocabulary. Business foreign language courses include:

• AFST 231, Swahili I
• AFST 232, Swahili II
• AFST 241, Wolof I
• AFST 242, Wolof II
• ARAB 201, Elementary Standard Arabic I
• ARAB 210, Colloquial Arabic I
• FR 485, Business and Econ French I
• FR 486, Business and Econ French II
• GER 320, German for Business
• GER 321, German for Economics
• ITAL 380, Italian for Business and Professions
• SPAN 142, Spanish in the Professions
• SPAN 202, Spanish for Business

International Experience

The international experience requirement allows students to gain practical experience in international business. Students can fulfill the requirement by participating in a study abroad program or an internship for at least six weeks. Students participating in the certificate program will be given priority for travel grants, overseas internships, and other international opportunities offered by the Illinois CIBER.

Incentives for Students

The certificate will help students develop stronger business skills and make them more marketable to future employers. A formal certificate will provide students with an added credential they can present to company recruiters. Students in the certificate program will receive priority for CIBER study abroad grants, overseas internship support, enrollment in the new IB honors course (if offered), employment as interpreters or RA's for CIBER projects. At the conclusion of each year there will be a formal graduation dinner/ceremony with keynote speakers.

How to Officially Register in the Certificate Program

Please contact Lynnea Johnson, Associate Director, Illinois CIBER, at lsjohnso@illinois.edu, 333-8335.